Creager to be equal to 14% of the dam height.

However, for low dams the top width is

usually greater than that provided on the bases of economy, b/c of minimum roadway
requirement & capacity of top width to withstand shock of floating objects. Its useful
value varies b/n 6m and 10 m.

FREE BOARD: Free board is generally provided equal to 3/2hw where hw is wave
height. However modern practice is to provide a maximum free board equal to 3 to 4% of
the height of dam, though free board equal to 5% or more might prove economical.

DESIGN OF GRAVITY DAMS

Two of the various methods used in the gravity dams are:-

1. Multiple step method (or zone method)
2. Single step method

MULTIPLE STEP (OR ZONE) METHOD OF DESIGN

In this method the section of the dam is considered to be divided into a number of zones.
(The face slopes are altered at suitable interval). Design commences from crest level, and
descends through profile stages corresponding to predetermined elevations. Each zone is
designed in such away that all requirements of stability are satisfied (i.e. stress levels are
maintained with in acceptable limits e.g. no tension under any condition of loading).

Figure 14 below shows a typical dam section with seven zones in a non-overflow gravity
dam.

ZONE I: This is the portion above the maximum water surface (1-2-3-4) or if there is
ice, it is the one above the bottom of the ice sheet.

If there is no ice, the height of zone-I is controlled by free board requirements and the
width is determined by practical consideration or economy for the section as a whole. In
case of ice sheets the height of zone I is fixed on the consideration of sliding of the zone
due to ice pressure.

ZONE II: For a limited distance below the bottom of zone I, the resultants, reservoir full
and empty, lie well with in the middle third (or kern). Both u/s and d/s faces, therefore,
may remain vertical until, at some plane 5-6, the resultant, reservoir full, intersects the
joint at the exact extremity of the middle third. That portion of the dam b/n the bottom of
zone I and the plane 5-6 constitutes zone II.

ZONE III: Below the bottom of zone II, the u/s face continues to be vertical while the d/s
face must begin to batter.

The line of the resultant continues to coincide with the d/s extremity of the middle third
when the reservoir is full. The resultant, reservoir empty, still being with in the middle

Handout-on Dam Engineering (IE-434) by Samuel Dagalo – Arba Minch University

third, the u/s face may remain vertical until at some plane 7-8, where it intersects at the
u/s extremity of the middle third. Therefore, zone III is the portion b/n 5-6 and 7-8,
determined by tension criteria, reservoir full.

Fig 14 zones for Non-overflow section of Gravity dam

ZONE IV: In this zone, the u/s face also begins to batter so that the lines of the resultants
for reservoir empty lie along the corresponding extremities of middle-third. The position
of lower limit plane 9-10 of this zone is governed by the criterion that the maximum
inclined stress (principal stress) at the d/s toe, for reservoir full condition is just equal to
the allowable limit, (which thus fixes the lower limit of zone IV).

The design of zone IV especially the height and d/s and u/s slopes, are determined by
trial, by dividing zone IV into a number of convenient blocks till the bottom of zone IV is
reached. It should be noted that Low Dams lie with in the limits of zone IV. Zones V, VI
and VII are applicable only for high dams.

Handout-on Dam Engineering (IE-434) by Samuel Dagalo – Arba Minch University

ZONE V: - Below the plane 9-10 for some distance the inclination of the d/s face of the
dam will have to be so adjusted that for reservoir full condition the principal stress at this
face does not exceed the max allowable limit. In this case the resultant for reservoir full
condition will remain well within the middle third. On the other hand the inclination of
the u/s face is so adjusted that for reservoir empty condition the resultant continues to
intersect just at the u/s extremity of the middle third. However, at some plane 11-12 for
reservoir empty condition the principal stress at the u/s face may reach the maximum
allowable limit, which thus fixes the limit of zone V. (B/n 9-10 & 11-12).

ZONE VI: In this zone the conditions of the design are determined by the maximum
pressures (principal stresses) at both u/s and d/s faces under reservoir empty and reservoir
full conditions, respectively (the inclinations are adjusted that δ1 should not to exceed the
limit). The line of the resultants under both the conditions lies well with in the middle
third. The position of the bottom plane 13-14 is reached when the inclined pressure at d/s
toe just reaches its maximum value.

ZONE VII: As the height of the dam increases, the batter of both u/s and d/s faces
increases. Consequently, at some plane the value of sec2φ (for d/s face) may become so
great that the principal stress at the d/s face may exceed the maximum allowable limit.
The portion of the dam in which this condition prevails constitutes zone VII. However,
this zone should be eliminated by revision of the entire design.

If the height of the dam is so large that it is more than the position of plane 13-14 of zone
VI, various changes are made in the upper zones so that the height of the dam lies with in
zone VI. If this is not possible, then the height of the dam is reduced or superior material
is utilized so that the height is accommodated with in zone VI.

SINGLE STEP METHOD OF DESIGN

For high dams, going beyond zone IV, it is found that the shape of u/s and d/s slopes is
sometimes unusual shape. The u/s face has a relatively flat slope while the d/s face has
outward convex shape. A convexed face under compression, whether smoothly covered
or polygonal, may be subject to tensile stress on surface parallel to the face. Such a shape
for the d/s face of the dam is not desirable b/c the outer layer of such a section tends to
buckle outward and unless the buckling forces is cancelled by the weight component
normal to the face, tension results. The dam section will have to be then redesigned so
that such a curvature for the d/s face of the dam is avoided. Alternatively the dam section
may be designed by SINGLE STEP METHOD.

In the single step method of design a section of the dam is suitably assumed and the
entire dam is considered as a single zone.

In the assumed section of the dam the u/s face is kept vertical for some depth to be
determined by trial. As a first trial, the vertical portion of the u/s face may be assumed to
be extended up to the plane FGH shown in fig 13 (a), below which it is given some slope.
The slope given to the u/s and d/s face of the dam are so adjusted that the principal

Handout-on Dam Engineering (IE-434) by Samuel Dagalo – Arba Minch University

stresses at the u/s face for reservoir empty condition and at the d/s face for the reservoir
full condition reach their maximum values simultaneously. This may be accomplished by
trial and error. The dam section is then checked for all stability requirements for reservoir
empty and full conditions, which will normally be satisfied at all the points above the
base of the dam when the slopes for the u/s and d/s faces are adjusted as indicated above.

Fig 15 shows the sections of a high dam designed both by single-step method and
multiple step- method. It is quite clear from the two sections that the multiple-step design
is more economical for the upper portion of the dam. The single step method section is
under stressed at all the points except at the base. Hence, if the height of the dam is less,
multiple step design method would give substantial saving in material.

From the above discussion we draw the following conclusions.

i) Dams of lesser heights can be designed economically only by multiple-step design
method.
ii) It may be economical to increase the concrete (or masonry) strength through the use
of expensive materials, thus keeping out of zones V and VI by dividing into four
zones (for high dams).
iii) High dams beyond zone IV are designed by single step method so that convex
curvature of d/s face is avoided.

Fig 15 Comparison of zone method (multiple-step) and single step for design of high
dams

Handout-on Dam Engineering (IE-434) by Samuel Dagalo – Arba Minch University